Daniel Cronin

Daniel J. Cronin is an Illinois politician and attorney who has served as the chairman of the DuPage County Board since December 2010. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served on the Illinois General Assembly from 1991 through 2010. As board chairman, Cronin has focused on consolidating units of local government in DuPage County.

For the American bishop, see Daniel Anthony Cronin.
Daniel J. Cronin
Cronin in 2019
Chairman of the DuPage County Board
Assumed office
December 2010 (2010-Dec)
Preceded byBob Schillerstrom
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 21st district
39th (1993–2003)
In office
January 1993 (1993-Jan) – November 2010 (2010-Nov)
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byRonald Sandack
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 40th district
In office
January 1991 (1991-Jan) – January 1993 (1993-Jan)
Preceded byGene L. Hoffman
Succeeded byRedistricted
Personal details
Born (1959-11-07) November 7, 1959
Elmhurst, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Juliann Cronin
Children4
ResidenceElmhurst, Illinois
Alma materNorthwestern University, B.A. Economics
Loyola University, J.D.
ProfessionAttorney

Early life, education, career

Cronin grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School and Fenwick High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and a J.D. degree from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He served as legal counsel for the Illinois House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987 and was Assistant State's Attorney in DuPage County from 1987 to 1989. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Power & Cronin Ltd.[1] of Oak Brook.

Illinois General Assembly

Cronin was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1991.[2] After one term, Cronin was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1993. Cronin served on several committees during his time as a state legislator, serving on the Education, Judiciary Civil Law, Pensions and Investments and Legislative Reference Bureau committees, among others.

DuPage County Board Chairman

Cronin was elected DuPage County Board Chairman on Nov. 2, 2010, after receiving nearly 63 percent of the vote.[3] Cronin won re-election as DuPage County Board Chairman in November 2014, winning 64 percent of the vote.[3] In 2018, he won re-election with 52% of the vote against Democratic challenger Lynn LaPlante.[4]

According to an investigation published by the Better Government Association (BGA) in 2013, Cronin's administration signed contracts with four firms connected to state legislative leaders, including House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, Senate President pro tempore Don Harmon, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross. The BGA speculated that these contracts were intended to bolster a potential run for higher office in the future, along with an aggressive legislative agenda that supported Cronin's efforts to consolidate governmental agencies in DuPage.[5]

Government consolidation

Cronin has focused on consolidating units of government in DuPage, and these efforts were launched in 2011 as the "ACT Initiative", where "ACT" stands for "Accountability, Consolidation, Transparency".[6] Cronin worked with State Senator Tom Cullerton and other legislators to propose bills that would grant DuPage more authority over agencies whose officers are appointed by the County Board. In August 2013, the General Assembly passed a bill that gave the DuPage County Board the authority to dissolve or consolidate 13 units of government: four sanitary districts, three fire districts, two mosquito abatement districts, the airport authority, county fair authority, housing authority, and a district responsible for street lights.[7]

Cronin's efforts were initially "stymied", and it was difficult to inspect the finances of various agencies under his purview. In 2011, also with the help of Cullerton, the General Assembly passed a bill requiring such agencies to provide documents and certain information to the County Board.[7]

The Timberlake Estates Sanitary District, an inactive district, was dissolved in 2013 with the support of a majority of residents in the district. By 2014, the County achieved roughly $80 million in savings from reducing or eliminating government agencies. Meanwhile, around 60 board members of agencies under Cronin's purview did not support these consolidation efforts, and either resigned or were not reappointed to their roles.[7] Eventually, the county eliminated its Fair & Exposition Authority, the Century Hill Street Lighting District, the Fairview Fire Protection District, the Highland Hills Sanitary District and the North Westmont Fire Protection District. The Election Commission was also merged into the County Clerk's office. These efforts were expected to save $145 million over a 20-year period.[6]

Cronin is continuing to push this consolidation initiative in pursuit of larger statewide reforms.[8]

Community involvement

Cronin has served in numerous leadership roles for community groups, including as the DuPage County Republican County Chairman and a York Township Republican Committeeman.

He also serves on the Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, The DuPage Marine Corps League, Elmhurst Knights of Columbus, Elmhurst YMCA Board of Directors, Joseph Academy Board of Directors, Community Bank of Elmhurst Board of Directors, Ray Graham Association Board of Directors in Downers Grove, Fenwick High School Board of Directors and the College of DuPage Business Leader Advisory Board.

He and his family are members of Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst.[9]

References
  1. "Welcome to Power and Cronin, Ltd".
  2. "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography". ilga.gov. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  3. "DuPage County IL Official Website - Election Commission Election Results". dupageco.org. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  4. LGIS News Service (November 7, 2018). "Dan Cronin wins Dupage County board chairman's race". DuPage Policy Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  5. Schroedter, Andrew (April 17, 2013). "BGA Exclusive: Cronin's Cronies". Better Government Association. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  6. Quig, A.D. (October 22, 2020). "Awash in local governments, Illinois sinks under the weight of them all". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  7. Lydersen, Kari (March 9, 2014). "A 'Smart Streamlining' Test Case". Better Government Association. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  8. "DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin eyeing statewide implementation of ACT Initiative". mySuburbanLife.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  9. "Meet Senator Cronin - 21st District". Illinois Senate Republicans. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
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